Can



May 28, 1929. F. WESTERBECK CAN Filed Oct. 29, 1925 Fa. I

//YVENT0R E Wart/P3501 A rromvs vs Patented May 28, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK W ESTERBECK, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO MALLINCKRODT CHEMICAL WORKS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

CAN.

Application filed October 29, 1925. Serial No. 65,659.

This invention relates td a can sealed by means of a soft metal cap, and adapted to contain ether or other-highly volatile and inflammable liquids. In the preferred form 5 of the invention the desired seal is formed by forcing the margin of the soft metal cap onto a portion of a sheet metal can, so as to produce a very effective seal without incurring the danger and expense involved in sol- 10 dering a closure onto a can of volatile, ex-

plosive liquid.

One of the objects of the invention is to produce a seal with a soft metal cap that can be very easily opened. A further object is to provide an unobstructed opening into which an ordinary stopper can be inserted. To illustrate these features, I will hereafter describe a can having a neck with an extended upper portion embedded in the margin of a soft metal sealing cap, so as to form a seal around the neck, said soft metal cap being weakened in a circular line which lies between the seal and a removable central portion of the cap. The diameter of this circular line is preferably less than the diameter of the sealed joint but greater than the internal diameter of the neck, so the central portion of the cap can be easily removed to leave an unobstructed opening for the reception of an ordinary stopper.

With the foregoing and other objects inv view, the invention comprises the'novel construction, combination and arrangements of parts hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the-preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it is to be understood that the invention comprehends changes, variations and modifications which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Fig. I is'a side elevation of an ether can emll iodying the features of this invention.

closuI-e.

Fig. III is an enlarged vertical section showing the upper portion of the neck and the closure sealed thereto. x

Fig. IV is a view similar to Fig. HI showing how an ordinary stopper can be used after the central portion of the closure is pulled 'from' the seal-forming elements.

1 designates a sheet metal can provided with a sheet metal neck 2 having an annular sealing flange 3 extending outwardly from II is an enlarged top view of the its upper end. A designates a soft metal sealing cap seated on the flange 3 and having a folded marginal portion embracing the flange. This marginal portion of the soft .metal extends around the sharp outer edge of the flange 3 and thence under the flange.

A clamping band 4 surrounds the folded margin of the soft metal cap, and this band has an upper flange 5 seated on the top of said margin and a lower flange 6 engaging the bottom thereof. The band 4 is forcibly applied to the soft metal sealing cap, so as to embed the outer edge of flange 3 in the soft metal, at the same time forcing the folded margin-of the soft metal onto the top and bottom of flange 3. This flange is preferably grooved as shown at7 and the soft metal is forced into the irregularities formed by the groove.

The parts are thus assembled to form an effective seal around the neck of the can, and actual experience has shown that this seal will confine either for an indefinite period without leakage of either vapor or liquid. However, the sealing band 4 is made of relatively strong and stiff sheet metal and it cannot be easily removed from the can. To form the most desirable seal, the cap A is preferably made of much thicker soft metal, such as lead, and I desire to produce a quick-de- 85 tachable closure that can be easily and quickly removed to leave an unobstructed opening for the reception of an ordinary stopper.

Attention is therefore directed to the annular groove 8 formed in the soft metal cap A to weaken the cap in a circular line between the sealed margin and the central portion of the cap. To open the can it is only necessary to puncture the projecting central portion of the cap and then pull the puncturing tool to 95 remove the central portion of the cap from the seal. A stopper 9 can then be inserted into the tapering neck as shown in Fig. IV, so as to quickly confine the volatile ether.

The external diameter of the groove 8 is 100 less than the diameter of the marginal sealing elements, so the central portion of the cap can be detached from the seal. However, the externaldiameter of said groove is greater than the internal diameter of the top of the taper- 105 ing neck 2, and for this reason the removed of the'central portion of the cap does not leave an obstruction that would prevent the insertion of the stopper 9 shown in Fig. IV.

I claim:

I 1. A soft metal cap forming a seal for a can provided with a stopper-receiving opening, said soft metal cap being provided with a readily detachable central portion surrounded by a'weakening groove having an external diameter larger than the internal diameter of said opening to provide an unobstructed opening for the stopper when the central portion of the cap is removed.

2. In a can having an opening to receive a stopper, a metal seal closing said opening, said seal having a central portion removably secured by a relatively thin circular portion of said metal larger in diameter than said opening, there being a space between said thin circular portion and said opening to provide an unobstructed entrance for the stopper.

3. A soft metal sea-l for a canprovided with a stopper-receiving opening, said seal having a removable central portion formed integral therewith but removably secured thereto by a relatively thin circular portion of said -metal having a diameter larger than said opening, to provide an unobstructed opening for the stopper within said relatively thin circular portion.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto affix my signature.

FREDERICK WESTERBECK. 

